Mitchell Johnson's excellent form at the WACA ground could be crucial to his Test chances as curator Cam Sutherland discusses the state of the pitch ahead of the deciding Test against South Africa.

After a year in the wilderness, Mitchell Johnson will make his return to Test cricket in Perth tomorrow. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

MITCHELL Johnson will make his unexpected return to Test cricket tomorrow a year after he looked finished as Australia attempts its last chance to wrestle the world Test crown from South Africa.

And with Mitchell Starc also certain to play the third Test in Perth, it will be the first time Australia has chosen two left-arm pacemen in the same side since Johnson and Doug Bollinger in India more than two years ago.

Australia will choose four fast bowlers for a third successive Perth Test after routing England and India during the past two seasons with an all pace attack.

Just which four fast bowlers make up the attack will depend on how Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus train today after their marathon bowling stints during the drawn second Test in Adelaide.

It is likely that only one of them will play, with Josh Hazlewood expected to make his Test debut ahead of John Hastings.

Johnson has not played a Test since breaking down with a serious foot injury in Johannesburg a little over 12 months ago but his form had been so poor he was in line to be dropped anyway.

He has an outstanding record at the WACA Ground, claiming 30 wickets in just four Tests at an average of only 18, including match figures of 9-82 during his last Test there, against England, two years ago.

However in the seven Tests following that match before he broke down Johnson managed just 15 wickets at an average of 58.

Vice-captain Shane Watson, who will play his first Test this series following a calf strain, was impressed with Johnson’s bowling in the nets yesterday.

“Mitch bowled well again with the odd one swinging in, which makes him very difficult to face,” Watson said. “The ball coming back in creates a big challenge.”

Josh Hazlewood is being strongly considered for the attack to take on the Proteas.Source: The Daily Telegraph

Watson also believes Hazlewood will be a handful on the WACA wicket if he is given an opportunity.

“He’s a tall guy and gets a lot of bounce,” said Watson. “At the WACA there is always a bit of bounce anyway but I’m sure he’ll get a fair bit more bounce than any of the other bowlers we’ve got.”

After being 12th man for the previous two Tests Starc is hopeful the same wicket he played on during the Perth Test last year is rolled out again. India was thrashed in little more than two days.

“For me it’s obviously a nice place to come and bowl,” he said. “You get that extra bit of pace and bounce compared to the SCG, where I’ve played.

“There’s a little it in it for the bowlers but last year was a pretty good cricket wicket, I reckon.

“Hopefully if I get the chance to come out here again I’ll bowl similar to what I did last time.”

Hilfenhaus not only has fitness issues to overcome but his inability to take important South African wickets is a growing concern.

He has claimed 2-205 off 94 overs against South Africa’s top seven batsmen and 4-6 from just seven overs against the tail.

Hilfenhaus offers Clarke an element of control and he is good for the over rate but his series average of 35.5 per wicket is misleading.

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